Partaking of communion? protocol

[waxwing]

Evening,
Over the past few months I have felt a pull to return to the Catholic Church. I was baptized Catholic and attended Catholic schools. But our family began attending evangelical churches and much of my youth and young adulthood was spend in the Protestant tradition. Since feeling this pull to return to the Catholic Church I’ve attended Mass several times, at the point of Communion I haven’t went up, I am a Christian but I also thought there may be certain required steps for the Catholic before receiving this sacrament. Is this true? Wasn’t sure what the protocol was in this instance.

Thank You
ww

 

[Fidelis]

This is true.

If you were previously baptized as a Catholic and made your First Holy Communion as a youth, if you intend to return to the Catholic Faith, and to Holy Communion, all that’s needed for you is to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and make a sincere confession.

After you’ve done so, let me be the first to say…

WELCOME BACK!!

:clapping: :extrahappy: :dancing:

 

[rpp]

Evening,
Over the past few months I have felt a pull to return to the Catholic Church. I was baptized Catholic and attended Catholic schools. But our family began attending evangelical churches and much of my youth and young adulthood was spend in the Protestant tradition. Since feeling this pull to return to the Catholic Church I’ve attended Mass several times, at the point of Communion I haven’t went up, I am a Christian but I also thought there may be certain required steps for the Catholic before receiving this sacrament. Is this true? Wasn’t sure what the protocol was in this instance.

Thank You
ww

First, praise God that you have felt this “pull”. That “pull” is the Holy Spirit!

As Fidelis correctly pointed out, you need to make a Confession covering the time since your last confession. That assumes that you have been Confirmed and had First Communion and made your first Confession.

I would ask you to consider talking to your priest about what resources your parish has for “reverts”. There is a lifetime of learning, but I think it is important that you make sure you understand a few basic things. Working with your priest, you can help fill in the gaps of your knowledge.

God bless you Waxwing.
:clapping::dancing::extrahappy:

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Evening,
Over the past few months I have felt a pull to return to the Catholic Church. I was baptized Catholic and attended Catholic schools. But our family began attending evangelical churches and much of my youth and young adulthood was spend in the Protestant tradition. Since feeling this pull to return to the Catholic Church I’ve attended Mass several times, at the point of Communion I haven’t went up, I am a Christian but I also thought there may be certain required steps for the Catholic before receiving this sacrament. Is this true? Wasn’t sure what the protocol was in this instance.

Thank You
ww

You don’t say if you ever received your First Holy Communion and Reconciliation? If you have make an appointment with the parish and speak with someone about returning. If you have not ask about completing your Sacraments usually along with the RCIA process.

 

[LilyM]

As Fidelis correctly pointed out, you need to make a Confession covering the time since your last confession. That assumes that you have been Confirmed and had First Communion and made your first Confession.

You don’t have to have been confirmed. Most cradle Catholics will have a gap of some years between First Confession/Communion (which most always comes first) and Confirmation.

God bless you Waxwing.
:clapping::dancing::extrahappy:

 

[waxwing]

Thanks for all your (name removed by moderator)ut,

Just to clarify a couple things for a couple responders. I haven’t been confirmed or had First Communion, I was baptized Catholic and went to Catholic School, but at the point of learning the catechism we were going to a Protestant Church so I didn’t take the Catechism Class. Like someone said I may need to go through the RCIA process. If so what would be the first step to getting started.

Thanks Again,
ww

 

[martinporres]

Waxwing, the first step would be to go to mass (or at least to church or the church’s website) and find a bulletin. On the front will likely be the parish’s contact for their RCIA or OCIA program. If there isn’t, email or call the parish and ask about their RCIA program. That will set you on your path!

In the mean time, google for a prayer called a “spiritual communion” and pray this during communion time at mass. (Actually, here’s a great one from EWTN.) It will bring you closer to Jesus until the time you are disposed to receiving him bodily.

You are in my prayers.

mp

 

[jemfinch]

And please note that we receive the Eucharist, we don’t “take” or “partake” of it

Jeremy

 

[Church_Militant]

Thanks for all your (name removed by moderator)ut,

Just to clarify a couple things for a couple responders. I haven’t been confirmed or had First Communion, I was baptized Catholic and went to Catholic School, but at the point of learning the catechism we were going to a Protestant Church so I didn’t take the Catechism Class. Like someone said I may need to go through the RCIA process. If so what would be the first step to getting started.

Thanks Again,
ww

I know how you feel. My testimony.

 

[Digitonomy]

And please note that we receive the Eucharist, we don’t “take” or “partake” of itJeremy

I hope you will kindly contact the authors of the GIRM to inform them of their errors.

79.c. …that the spotless Victim to be received in Communion be for the salvation of those who will partake of it.

1. …that, in the instances when it is permitted, they partake of the chalice, so that even by means of the signs Communion will stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated.

1. …gives his brothers and sisters the Bread of eternal life, and partakes of it with
   them.

 

[John_Lilburne]

Thanks for all your (name removed by moderator)ut,

Just to clarify a couple things for a couple responders. I haven’t been confirmed or had First Communion, I was baptized Catholic and went to Catholic School, but at the point of learning the catechism we were going to a Protestant Church so I didn’t take the Catechism Class. Like someone said I may need to go through the RCIA process. If so what would be the first step to getting started.

Thanks Again,
ww

I suggest contacting the priest, perhaps by phone, and outlining the situation to him.

If you want to read about the preparation for Communion and Confirmation, there is a description from the RCIA book at catholic-ew.org.uk/liturgy/Resources/Rites/RiteRitual.html#RCIA .

I am unsure of your situation. It could be “4 PREPARATION OF UNCATECHIZED ADULTS FOR CONFIRMATION AND EUCHARIST” (on page 39) or it could be “5 RECEPTION OF BAPTISED CHRISTIANS INTO THE FULL COMMUNION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH” (on page 41).

 

[rwoehmke]

And please note that we receive the Eucharist, we don’t “take” or “partake” of it

Jeremy

Matthew 26:26 Take and eat…

 

[dthurmond]

I have a question pertaining to the receiving of communion.

I was raised Lutheran and as a child received the baptism in the Lutheran Church. Once I became married, my husband (having a baptist background) have attended Baptist Churches. I was baptised as an adult within the Baptist Denomination and I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I am a Christian, however I have been told that if I go to a Catholic church I will not be able to take communion. If we are all Christians and believe that Jesus died for our sins, then why would I not be able to take communion in the Catholic church if I chose to attend the service there? Once I was advised of this, then my immediate response is that “you don’t want me there”.

Someone please explain and justify why you believe that this is a good way to treat a fellow Chrisitan.

 

[bilop]

I have a question pertaining to the receiving of communion.

I was raised Lutheran and as a child received the baptism in the Lutheran Church. Once I became married, my husband (having a baptist background) have attended Baptist Churches. I was baptised as an adult within the Baptist Denomination and I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I am a Christian, however I have been told that if I go to a Catholic church I will not be able to take communion. If we are all Christians and believe that Jesus died for our sins, then why would I not be able to take communion in the Catholic church if I chose to attend the service there? Once I was advised of this, then my immediate response is that “you don’t want me there”.

Someone please explain and justify why you believe that this is a good way to treat a fellow Chrisitan.

It has to do with Catholic belief in the nature of the Eucharist. We believe it is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ. When the Priest consecrates the host, it actually becomes Christ’s body (transubstantiation), not a symbol. Therefore, only those who share this belief are allowed to receive communion.

So, for example, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Old Catholics, and Polish National Catholics would be welcome to receive, as they share the same understanding of the Eucharist, even though they are not in union with Rome.

Other Christians do not share this belief, so for them to receive would display a false communion.

If a Protestant shared the Catholic/Orthodox belief in the nature of the Eucharist, they might be allowed to receive on a special occasion, wedding etc. But if they share this belief, they are probably already on the way to becoming Catholic or Orthodox.

God Bless

 

[dthurmond]

It has to do with Catholic belief in the nature of the Eucharist. We believe it is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ. When the Priest consecrates the host, it actually becomes Christ’s body (transubstantiation), not a symbol. Therefore, only those who share this belief are allowed to receive communion.

So, for example, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Old Catholics, and Polish National Catholics would be welcome to receive, as they share the same understanding of the Eucharist, even though they are not in union with Rome.

Other Christians do not share this belief, so for them to receive would display a false communion.

If a Protestant shared the Catholic/Orthodox belief in the nature of the Eucharist, they might be allowed to receive on a special occasion, wedding etc. But if they share this belief, they are probably already on the way to becoming Catholic or Orthodox.

God Bless

A person belonging to the Catholic denomination would be welcomed into the Baptist Church with open arms and no one would ever say to that individual that they could not partake in the communion. The Minister in the Baptist church goes through the prayers prior to our eating and drinking of communion. Isn’t it about the personal relationship between the person and God? What denomination has the right to cast judgement upon anyone when all have sinned and fall short? One can not say that everyone in the Catholic Church is right and perfect and takes communion in a right and perfect manner. Isn’t it that each individual has to constantly work on bettering themselves to walk as God would want us to? Therefore, why would the Catholic Church not want to embrace those from other denominations as a show of Faith? Or is this just one of the rules of the Catholic Church?

I guess, I don’t see it changing any time soon, so I’ll continue to walk the best way that I can on this earth. Knowing that I am a Child of God, I won’t trouble anyone by attending Catholic Mass where I would want to take communion, because I wouldn’t be welcome to do so.

In Christ

 

[martinporres]

Welcome to the forums, sister! Hope you stick around for a time.

Isn’t it about the personal relationship between the person and God? What denomination has the right to cast judgement upon anyone when all have sinned and fall short? One can not say that everyone in the Catholic Church is right and perfect and takes communion in a right and perfect manner. Isn’t it that each individual has to constantly work on bettering themselves to walk as God would want us to? Therefore, why would the Catholic Church not want to embrace those from other denominations as a show of Faith? Or is this just one of the rules of the Catholic Church?

I think you’re perhaps seeing the Catholic teaching of reception of communion as an exclusion rather than what it intends to be: a symbol of common faith. I’m sure there are many points of faith we can agree upon, but on the central aspect of the Eucharist, where Catholics believe from time immemorial that it is Christ’s body and blood which are made present in the bread and wine on the altar, if there is no common faith in that central fact, it would be an affront to God to claim such.

Also, Catholics are taught to refrain from receiving communion when they are in a state of mortal sin (i.e., sin of a grave matter that the person willingly commits or is committing). “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Cor. 11:27).] So I hope you don’t think that simply because we call ourselves Catholics that we aren’t also sinners in need of God’s grace.

I guess, I don’t see it changing any time soon, so I’ll continue to walk the best way that I can on this earth. Knowing that I am a Child of God, I won’t trouble anyone by attending Catholic Mass where I would want to take communion, because I wouldn’t be welcome to do so.

You would never trouble me by attending mass. Catholics believe the mass is the greatest prayer and offering of the Church. We receive many graces simply by assisting (attending), even without communion. Check out this short document on the sacrifice of the mass; it includes many references from early Church fathers which may be of interest to you.

God bless,
mp

 

[bilop]

A person belonging to the Catholic denomination would be welcomed into the Baptist Church with open arms and no one would ever say to that individual that they could not partake in the communion. The Minister in the Baptist church goes through the prayers prior to our eating and drinking of communion. Isn’t it about the personal relationship between the person and God? What denomination has the right to cast judgement upon anyone when all have sinned and fall short? One can not say that everyone in the Catholic Church is right and perfect and takes communion in a right and perfect manner. Isn’t it that each individual has to constantly work on bettering themselves to walk as God would want us to? Therefore, why would the Catholic Church not want to embrace those from other denominations as a show of Faith? Or is this just one of the rules of the Catholic Church?

I guess, I don’t see it changing any time soon, so I’ll continue to walk the best way that I can on this earth. Knowing that I am a Child of God, I won’t trouble anyone by attending Catholic Mass where I would want to take communion, because I wouldn’t be welcome to do so.

In Christ

In the Catholic Church, Communion is viewed as, well, a communion. It shows union in faith and belief.

All are welcome to Mass, not all are allowed to receive Our Lord.
A Catholic in mortal sin should not receive communion either.

Do Baptists’ view the Eucharistic as the Real Presence, or symbolic?

God Bless

 

[rpp]

A person belonging to the Catholic denomination would be welcomed into the Baptist Church with open arms and no one would ever say to that individual that they could not partake in the communion. The Minister in the Baptist church goes through the prayers prior to our eating and drinking of communion. Isn’t it about the personal relationship between the person and God? What denomination has the right to cast judgement upon anyone when all have sinned and fall short? One can not say that everyone in the Catholic Church is right and perfect and takes communion in a right and perfect manner. Isn’t it that each individual has to constantly work on bettering themselves to walk as God would want us to? Therefore, why would the Catholic Church not want to embrace those from other denominations as a show of Faith? Or is this just one of the rules of the Catholic Church?

I guess, I don’t see it changing any time soon, so I’ll continue to walk the best way that I can on this earth. Knowing that I am a Child of God, I won’t trouble anyone by attending Catholic Mass where I would want to take communion, because I wouldn’t be welcome to do so.

In Christ

The Catholic Church accepts the Baptism of both the Lutheran and the Baptist Church. If I wanted to become Baptist, why would I need to be baptized again? Seems like they are telling me they do not want me.

“But that is different,” you may say. “That is a very important part of our doctrine,” you would add. “There are parts about it that you do not understand.”

Let me fill in some details, assuming you are not here to just yell at Catholics, but are interested in sincere answers.

Holy Communion has several names. The other two common names are The Blessed Sacrament and Holy Eucharist.

As Bilop pointed out, it is the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Creator of the Universe, Himself. The Church calls it “the Source and Summit” of the Church.

Holy Communion is the most sacred thing in existence. Nothing else compares with it.

In order to receive something so holy, a person must be ready. 1 Corinthians 11:27 tells us “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”

That would make receiving Holy Eucharist improperly a very serious sin.

So here are some basic rules.

The Church wants people to understand what it is so they must be Baptized and have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. To be confirmed, you must first be educated in the Catholic faith. (Admittedly, this is often not done well, to the shame of Catholics. ) For example, I am a convert. I had to attend weekly classes (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults - RCIA) for 17 months before I was Confirmed and able to receive the Precious Body and Blood of our Lord. The details are different from parish to parish, but the requirements are the same.

After that we must be “worthy”. For Catholics, that means if we have any mortal sins on our conscience, we must not receive Holy Communion. First we go to Confession, then we can receive communion of the priest absolves us of our sins. How can we know if a sin is mortal? That is part of the religious education we receive before we were confirmed and our on-going growth in spiritual life.

When you receive Holy Communion, you publicly announce that you accept and believe all that the Catholic teaches in matters of Faith and Morals. Do you, dthurmond?

 

[Pixie_Dust]

A person belonging to the Catholic denomination would be welcomed into the Baptist Church with open arms and no one would ever say to that individual that they could not partake in the communion. The Minister in the Baptist church goes through the prayers prior to our eating and drinking of communion. Isn’t it about the personal relationship between the person and God? What denomination has the right to cast judgement upon anyone when all have sinned and fall short? One can not say that everyone in the Catholic Church is right and perfect and takes communion in a right and perfect manner. Isn’t it that each individual has to constantly work on bettering themselves to walk as God would want us to? Therefore, why would the Catholic Church not want to embrace those from other denominations as a show of Faith? Or is this just one of the rules of the Catholic Church?

I guess, I don’t see it changing any time soon, so I’ll continue to walk the best way that I can on this earth. Knowing that I am a Child of God, I won’t trouble anyone by attending Catholic Mass where I would want to take communion, because I wouldn’t be welcome to do so.

In Christ

You might want to listen to this CD. catholicity.com/cds/west.html

To receive communion in the Catholic Church without actually being in union with the Catholic Church is kinda like having sex outside of marriage.

 

[dthurmond]

The Catholic Church accepts the Baptism of both the Lutheran and the Baptist Church. If I wanted to become Baptist, why would I need to be baptized again? Seems like they are telling me they do not want me.

“But that is different,” you may say. “That is a very important part of our doctrine,” you would add. “There are parts about it that you do not understand.”

Let me fill in some details, assuming you are not here to just yell at Catholics, but are interested in sincere answers.

Holy Communion has several names. The other two common names are The Blessed Sacrament and Holy Eucharist.

As Bilop pointed out, it is the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Creator of the Universe, Himself. The Church calls it “the Source and Summit” of the Church.

Holy Communion is the most sacred thing in existence. Nothing else compares with it.

In order to receive something so holy, a person must be ready. 1 Corinthians 11:27 tells us “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”

That would make receiving Holy Eucharist improperly a very serious sin.

So here are some basic rules.

The Church wants people to understand what it is so they must be Baptized and have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. To be confirmed, you must first be educated in the Catholic faith. (Admittedly, this is often not done well, to the shame of Catholics. ) For example, I am a convert. I had to attend weekly classes (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults - RCIA) for 17 months before I was Confirmed and able to receive the Precious Body and Blood of our Lord. The details are different from parish to parish, but the requirements are the same.

After that we must be “worthy”. For Catholics, that means if we have any mortal sins on our conscience, we must not receive Holy Communion. First we go to Confession, then we can receive communion of the priest absolves us of our sins. How can we know if a sin is mortal? That is part of the religious education we receive before we were confirmed and our on-going growth in spiritual life.

When you receive Holy Communion, you publicly announce that you accept and believe all that the Catholic teaches in matters of Faith and Morals. Do you, dthurmond?

I don’t believe what the Catholic church believes because I don’t choose to become a Catholic. I don’t call myself a Baptist, because that is just the church where I belong and attend, fellowship with other believers of God. I am a Child of God… I Believe that Jesus died for my sins. I rather not become caught up in the denominational dogma of this world. I take the participation of communion to heart and I don’t take it lightly.
Here is an article that I found interesting.

talkingdonkey.wordpress.com/2005/02/24/closed-communion/

I guess there has been a damage in my ever wanting to attend mass…for example, when I went to visit my sister and I wanted to go to church, her husband (my brother-in-law) stated immediately, you can’t take communion. He is a Catholic, therefore, the first words out of his mouth were “you can’t take communion”. Not, we would love for you to attend mass with us, or that would be great!..No, that wasn’t done. So, please understand my feelings on this matter. I’ve enjoyed the information here and as the Bible states : 2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividng the word of truth.

I will continue to read, learn and study to show my self approved and at the end of my journey, it is my hope and prayer that my Father will say to me “Well done my daughter, Well Done”.

Be Blessed